India to be second country globally with commercial Fast Breeder Reactor; indigenously developed PFBR achieves first criticality

India's indigenously developed 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality on April 6, 2026.

This milestone positions India as the second country after Russia to operate a commercial-level fast breeder reactor, marking a significant step in the second stage of its nuclear power program and enabling the future use of its vast thorium reserves.